Greig Leach

With just two mountains left to climb in the 102nd Tour de France, if any time was to be gained on the General Classification, the attacks would have to go early. Movistar had the luxury of having two cards to play. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) was sitting third overall and could attack the peloton without Team Sky and the Maillot Jaune paying him much mind. As a strategy, he could then function as a carrot for the team leader, Nairo Quintana, to bridge across to. They also sent another team member along with Valverde, the other Colombian on the team, Winner Anacona.